Portland sophomore guard and reigning WCC player of the week Kari Luttinen scored a game-high 22 points and the Pilots clamped down defensively to claim a 68-49 win over the Oregon Ducks on Friday afternoon at the Chiles Center.

It was the fourth straight win for the Pilots, who improved to 5-7.

It was also the second straight game during which the Pilots held their opponents below 50 points, and it marked the lowest point total this season for Oregon (2-9).

The up-tempo Ducks looked good early in the first half and jumped to a seven-point lead after six minutes.

But the Pilots responded with a 23-7 run and sophomore Jasmine Wooton gave the Pilots their first lead when she sank a three-pointer, while getting fouled in the process. Wooton hit the free throw for the four-point play to give Portland a 19-17 edge.

Portland's lead would eventually stretch to nine, with the help of a three-pointer from junior guard Alexis Byrd.

Luttinen, who scored 15 points before intermission, ended the half with a jumper to make it 45-35 in Portland's favor.

After both teams opened the second half a little cold from the field, the Ducks were able to string together a couple of three-pointers from Jordan Loera to pull within 49-46 with 12:31 remaining.

But the Portland defense would take over from there, holding the Ducks to three points the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, the UP offense scored nine straight points and ended the game on a 19-3 run.

Freshman Ellen Nurmi capped the 9-0 run with a layup across the lane to make it 58-46, and Luttinen scored seven points during the game-ending outburst.

Luttinen hit three three-pointers on the day and she scored more than 20 points for the second time this season.

Portland freshman Annika Holopainen joined Luttinen in double digits with 10 points, but the Pilots used a fairly balanced offensive attack. Both Byrd and Wooton scored nine points, and Wooten handed out a career-high six assists.

Junior Amy Pupa led the Pilots with eight rebounds, while Byrd and sophomore Cassandra Thompson each had seven rebounds.

The Pilots turned the ball over a season-low 10 times, while 16 Portland steals helped lead to 25 miscues for Oregon. The Pilots converted their strong defense into a 24-3 edge in points off of turnovers and Luttinen matched a career high with five steals.

Oregon, which shot 32 percent (17 for 53) from the floor, was led by Ariel Thomas (12 points) and Loera (10 points).

The Ducks were nine of 10 at the foul line and connected on six three-pointers.

Portland finished 24 for 71 (34 percent) from the field, combined for nine three-pointers and hit 11 free throws. The Pilots also claimed a 24-8 advantage in fast-break points, but the Ducks held a slim 43-42 edge in rebounds.